(Inverness, Fl., 6/29/03) For the second week in a row Citrus County Speedway racers got shot out of the saddle by heavy and continuous rains. Now they have to put their race cars in dry dock for a couple of more weeks with the July 5th race night closed out while the NASCAR guys get set to run the Pepsi 400 at Daytona next Saturday night. For the past several years Citrus has shut down for this particular weekend in deference to the big race just 100 miles away which attracts most local fans. The fact that it is going to be on T.V. certainly detracts from the local fan count as well. As a result, the local racers will be out of action for three weeks in a row and probably suffering from “NRS”, (No Race Syndrome) when they get back into action on Saturday night, July 12.
The Pro Modifieds were denied their third opportunity to make a run at the 3/8th mile race course and may not have an available make up date open on their schedule. These guys really like Citrus County Speedway and the weather just hasn’t cooperated to keep their schedule on track.
Next scheduled race at Citrus is set for Saturday, July 12 featuring the Late Models, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Thunder Stocks in heat and feature action. It should be a wild night after three weeks of no action. These guys will be going through a major anxiety attack just to get behind the wheel again and putting the hammer down. Needless to say, those who are battling to retain top ten spots in the point race will have a smaller window of opportunity to make their mark in their run for the division crown.
On the restart, their will be eighteen race nights left on the schedule and as the weeks slide by that window will get even smaller. The Late Models will only have eleven races left for their point crown. They have lost two of the early season races to two rainouts. Several special Super Late Model races have given them other opportunities to strut their stuff for bigger payoffs and more prestige. Three more Late Model special races are set for the balance of the season. The Florida Pro Series is on the schedule for August 16th. A special 75 Lap $3,000 to win race is set for October 11th and the season finale will feature the Super Late Models in the second leg of the Triple Crown 125 on November 8th.
Other specials set for the remainder of the season will be the FAST Trucks on July 26th. TBARA Sprints are back on August 2nd followed by the Modifieds on August 23rd. TBARA Sprints will make their fourth visit on September 13th with the FAST Sprints on October 25th to round out the season of special races for 2003.
Now all we have to do is communicate with Mother Nature and see if we can’t get back on schedule for the second half of the race season. If anyone has a direct connection with the old girl, please put in a good word for all of us! The racers and promoters would certainly appreciate it!
